The power of movement, stretching and flexibility.
By Arielle Giordano
Do you sit for eight hours a day at work or at a computer, sleep every night, and watch television in between? The average American spends 13 hours sitting or lying down every day while working, completing tasks, eating, driving and sleeping, etc.
A sedentary lifestyle can bring many challenges and impact an otherwise healthy body. Problems including poor circulation, bad posture, depression, reduced energy, loss of flexibility and declining mobility can result from lack of movement during your normal daily routines.
Sitting is the new normal and the new disease! If you sit for hours every day, it is very likely your muscles will atrophy. It only takes 24 hours for it to start happening—whether you are 2 or 92 years old. If you are not moving, exercising and stretching your muscles, it can eventually lead to pain and injury, too.
Do you know what keeps you young and energetic? It is not your heart, your brain or your lungs. The answer is your muscles because they hold the greatest number of mitochondria in your body. When muscles atrophy, the mitochondria inside the muscles also die.
Why are mitochondria so important? Scientists have been studying the DNA within the mitochondria and they have found that their function is the true key to unlock the mystery of aging. The mitochondria communicate with the cells’ telomeres and determine whether they should shorten and hasten aging or not shorten and slow down the aging process.
If you create a daily routine with stretching and physical activities, it will benefit your body and keep your mitochondria healthy. Try walking, dancing, biking, swimming and other sports. Keep moving and stay healthy!
